Measure goes to governor for signingMeasure goes to governor for signing

February 24, 2014By Benét J. Wilson

A bill that would remove a 5.125 percent gross receipts tax on aviation maintenance labor and parts passed both chambers of the New Mexico legislature Feb. 19 and now awaits Gov. Susana Martinez’s signature.

House Bill 14, introduced by Rep. James White and Sen. Carlos Cisneros, would apply a gross receipts tax exemption on aircraft maintenance for both labor and parts. Maintenance work that could be done in the state is being flown to Colorado, Oklahoma, Kansas, Texas, and Arizona, states that all have sales tax or gross receipts tax exemptions. AOPA worked closely with the sponsors and local aviation allies over the past year to develop and win passage of the bill.

On the same day as the vote, an “Aviation Day at the Capitol” was held at the Santa Fe Capitol. AOPA Central Southwest Regional Manager Yasmina Platt attended the event, hosted by the New Mexico Airport Managers Association, in conjunction with the New Mexico Department of Transportation’s Aviation Division.

Platt used the event to explain the importance of general aviation in New Mexico and garner support for the passage of the bill. After the vote, Platt expressed AOPA’s deep appreciation for White and Cisneros’ leadership on the bill. “General aviation has good friends in Santa Fe in Representative White and Senator Cisneros. We appreciate their leadership on this bill, and look forward to continuing our work with them on others on important issues in the state,” she said.